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Remembering 9/11 in New York 2023: A Guide

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, are felt around the world, but especially in New York City. We've gathered some special events offering history, respects, and reflection to mark 9/11 in New York City on the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.

Marking 9/11 NYC: Monday, September 11, 2023

Photo: Jin Lee

Each year on the anniversary of 9/11, the families of victims gather for a ceremony on the September 11 Memorial & Museum plaza to read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women, and children killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Six moments of silence are observed, marking the time that each of the World Trade Center towers was struck and fell, when Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, and when Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. On September 11th of this year, both the memorial and the museum will be reserved for family members, but they are open to the public in the days before and after.

Special commemoration hours in place Sunday, September 10th through Tuesday, September 12th. 

  • Sunday, September 10th: Museum closes 3pm
  • Monday, September 11th: Museum closed to general public. Memorial open 3pm until midnight
  • Tuesday, September 12th: Museum open 9am-7pm (last entry 5:30pm)

ABOUT THE 9/11 MUSEUM

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum features two core exhibitions at the foundation, or bedrock, of the former World Trade Center complex. A memorial exhibition—In Memoriam—pays tribute to the 2,983 men, women and children killed on 9/11 and in the 1993 WTC bombing. A historical exhibition tells the story of what happened on 9/11 at the three attack sites in the U.S. and around the world. On the plaza outside you’ll encounter two reflecting pools, featuring North America’s largest man-made waterfalls. In the spaces the Twin Towers previously occupied, there’s a clearing with 400 oaks and the “Survivor Tree,” a Callery pear nursed back to health following the attacks.

(Bounded by West St. and Greenwich St. to the east and west and Fulton St. and the Liberty St. Walkway to the north and south.)

There are several other opportunities to commemorate citywide:

At sundown, the annual Tribute in Light will once again illuminate the sky in commemoration of the anniversary of the attacks. The Tribute of Light is both a visually powerful and healing work of art, visible as far as 60 miles away on a clear night. 180 Greenwich St., enter at Liberty & Greenwich or West & Liberty or Vesey St., 212-266-5211, 911memorial.org

St. Paul's Chapel, called the "Little Chapel That Stood," is an Episcopal church directly across from the World Trade Center site. It's one of the oldest institutions in the city. St. Paul's played an important role on 9/11 as a place of refuge for recovery workers. On September 11th from 8:40am to 9am, Trinity clergy will ring the Bell of Hope in St. Paul’s Churchyard in a pattern of “four fives” (five strikes, repeated four times), the traditional firefighters’ salute to the fallen. Following prayers, the bell will be rung precisely at 8:46am, the time when the first plane crashed into 1 World Trade Center (North Tower). The bell, a gift from London to New York City a year after the attacks, is rung on September 11th anniversaries and to remember victims of terrorism and mass shootings.

nyc fire museum exhibition

The New York City Fire Museum's new exhibition recognizes the efforts of NYC's Bravest. Recovery and Reflection, Celebrating the 9/11 Tribute Museum, running until early October, showcases 15 panels previously displayed at the now-closed 9/11 Tribute Museum. The panels include victims' names, photos with quotes from key FDNY members like former New York City Fire Commissioners Daniel Nigro and Sal Cassano, and firefighter Lee Ielpi, a founder of the 9/11 Tribute Museum. Visitors can also view a slideshow of photos depicting heroic acts and the aftermath of 9/11, along with images of tributes near firehouses. The exhibition features a short video of retired firefighter Bill Spade, the sole survivor from Rescue 5.

FDNY Fire Zone near Rockefeller Center is the official store of the New York Fire Department. They offer a special fire safety exhibit for children, as well as fire simulation presentations. If you'd like to help a good cause and pick up a great New York souvenir, head here, where you'll find special 20th anniversary commemorative coins and t-shirts that help to memorialize the 343 firefighters and paramedics who gave their lives on 9/11.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will host the 9/11 Table of Silence Project: A Movement for Peace Created by Jacqulyn Buglisi. A ritual for peace and healing that employs over a hundred dancers, the performance takes place at Josie Robertson Plaza.

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